Sam Raimi has left the Daily Bugle, and the road before him has offered several different paths -- including one that is made up of yellow brick. And now it looks like the director has chosen which direction he'll be heading in.

Last week word came that Raimi was in talks to take on Oz: The Great and Powerful, the Wizard of Oz prequel that's happening at Disney -- and this despite his also being signed to direct the World of Warcraft game adaption for Legendary Pictures. Well, it looks like the latter is going to have to wait a while longer, for Deadline has confirmed that Raimi signed on the dotted line last night to make the 3D Oz.

The hope, of course, for Disney is that this picture will result in an Alice in Wonderland-like success. Which is possible, one supposes, especially considering that Robert Downey Jr. is circling the project (though he's not confirmed as of yet). He'd play the title character, no doubt with a twinkle in his eye (and Dorothy in the backseat of his circus caravan, perhaps?).

According to Deadline, Raimi has chosen to make the Wizard of Oz prequel Oz The Great And Powerful his next picture instead of the Warcraft game-to-film adaptation he's been developing with Legendary Pictures for awhile now.

Oz will be Raimi's first film since dropping out of Spider-Man 4, and Deadline claims he's brought in Rabbit Hole playwright-screenwriter David Lindsay-Abaire (who also worked on the Spidey 4 script for Raimi) to further hone the Oz script. Disney hopes to begin production next year.

The last remaining piece of the puzzle is star Robert Downey Jr., who has been warming to Oz after initially turning down the role of the Wizard. His deal is not done yet, but the site claims things look very promising.

The same can't be said for the Warcraft film, which is now at least two or more years away if Raimi remains attached to direct it.

Robert Downey Jr. is no longer attached to the upcoming Oz, the Great and Powerful, Heat Vision is reporting.

The film, to be directed by Sam Raimi, was previously set to star Downey as the Wizard from the original 1939 film, beginning with his life in Omaha and following the adventure he undertakes when a balloon accident leaves him stranded in the land of Oz.

The article suggests that Johnny Depp is the top name to replace Downey, which should come as no surprise after the tremendous box office take of the similarly-themed Alice in Wonderland last year.

James Franco is the latest name to be linked to the lead in Sam Raimi's Wizard of Oz prequel, Oz, the Great and Powerful, according to a story at Heat Vision.

As reported last month, Robert Downey Jr., who was slated to play the part (the Wizard from the original film, who winds up in Oz following a balloon accident) left the project and, at the time, the top choice to replace him was said to be Johnny Depp.

Depp has now, apparently, passed on the film and, while it's far from a done deal, Franco is now being discussed for the part. The actor does have previous experience working with Raimi, having appeared in all three Spider-Man films in the role of Harry Osborn.

Franco, meanwhile, is set for an eclectic schedule, starring in the upcoming Rise of the Apes and Your Highness, hosting the Oscars (alongside Anne Hathaway), returning to "General Hospital" and teaching a ten week film class at Columbia College entitled "Editing James Franco... With James Franco". He is also slated to make his directorial debut with an adaptation of William Faulkner's "As I Lay Dying".

Also, James Franco, Sam Raimi, the Hughes brothers, Brad Pitt and Neo-Tokyo namedrops -- all in one story!

February 17, 2011

Picture this -- Mila Kunis making out with the Wicked Witch of the East. In green face paint. Paging Natalie Portman!

O.K., that's probably not going to happen. But Vulture is reporting that Kunis, that Black Swan make-out queen, is leaving the Hughes brothers' live-action Akira (who knew she was even on it?) for Sam Raimi's Wizard of Oz prequel, The Great and Powerful.

If this pans out, Kunis would join James Franco in the Oz film, which is reportedly about the origins of the Wizard and the witches of L. Frank Baum's world.

"After a recent meeting with Raimi and Wizard James Franco, all agreed that Kunis would be perfect for the part of Theodorah, the younger sister of [the Wicked Witch of the East] who goes on to become the Wicked Witch of the West," says the site. "With her involvement assured, we're told that Franco finally agreed to do the picture."

Meanwhile, over in Neo-Tokyo, it seems that Warner Bros. wants a "massive star to anchor [Akira]." Like, Brad Pitt massive, which is why the studio's president Jeff Robinov called Pitt himself and offered him the lead role of Kaneda. Kaneda… who's basically a juvenile delinquent in the original tale. So, yeah, they're skewing older.

Pitt subsequently passed on the project, throwing the whole thing into turmoil. And that sent Kunis to Oz, which starts shooting in July.

James Franco and Mila Kunis have officially joined Oz, the Great and Powerful, Walt Disney Pictures confirmed today to ComingSoon.net.

Both recently rumored to star, Kunis will play a witch, Theodora, and Franco the titular lead in the Sam Raimi film, a prequel to the 1939 The Wizard of Oz. Robert Downey Jr. was originally slated to play Franco's part (the Wizard from the original film, who winds up in Oz following a balloon accident) but he left the project a few months ago.

Kunis most recently appeared in Black Swan and is set to star in Seth MacFarlane's directorial debut, Ted opposite Mark Wahlberg.

Franco, meanwhile, is set for an eclectic schedule, starring in the upcoming Rise of the Apes and Your Highness, returning to "General Hospital" and teaching a ten week film class at Columbia College entitled "Editing James Franco... With James Franco." He is also slated to make his directorial debut with an adaptation of William Faulkner's "As I Lay Dying." He previously worked alongside Sam Raimi in the three "Spider-Man" films and with Kunis in Shawn Levy's Date Night.

Michelle Williams has signed on for Sam Raimi's Oz, the Great and Powerful in the role of Glinda, the Good Witch, Variety reports.

The Disney release, a prequel to the 1939 The Wizard of Oz, will star James Franco as a younger version of the Wizard from the original film, who winds up in Oz following a balloon accident.

Mila Kunis is also attached in the role of Theodora, another good witch while Rachel Weisz is in negotiations for Evanora, a wicked witch.

Glinda was famously portrayed by Billie Burke in the 1939 film version where the character was referred to as "the Good Witch of the North" and not "the Good Witch of the South", which is how she was originally represented in the L. Frank Baum novel. Though still-unannounced, Glinda's title in the Raimi version might be the first clue to what source material the production has elected from which to draw.

Michelle Williams recently appeared in Blue Valentine and Shutter Island and is soon set to play Marilyn Monroe in the upcoming My Week With Marilyn.

Joined: Sun Nov 04, 2007 6:30 pmPosts: 3628Location: The Great Country of Texas!

Wow, they could have saved a ton of money by putting a cardboard standup of Franco in the movie. They'd get the same effect, and wouldn't have to pay him as much. Ugh. I mean really, how far have you fallen when you go from Robert Downey Jr to Franco lol?

Walt Disney Pictures tells us that March 8, 2013 release date for director Sam Raimi's Oz, the Great and Powerful, which is the same date as Sony was planning to open Neill Blomkamp's sci-fi pic Elysium, starring Sharlto Copley, Matt Damon and Jodie Foster.

Oz, the Great and Powerful will focus on the character of the Wizard himself (James Franco) and his humble beginnings in Omaha as a circus wrangler transported by balloon accident to the mysterious world of Oz where he gets mistaken for a know-it-all. Mila Kunis will play the witch Theodora, Michelle Williams is in talks to take on the role of Glinda and Rachel Weisz is in talks for Evanora.

Joey King, the young actress who appeared opposite Selena Gomez in last year's Ramona and Beezus, has joined the cast of Sam Raimi's Oz, the Great and Powerful, Variety reports.

The Disney release, a prequel to the 1939 The Wizard of Oz, will star James Franco as a younger version of the Wizard from the original film, who winds up in Oz following a balloon accident. The cast is also set to include Mila Kunis, Michelle Williams and Rachel Weisz.

King, who made headlines last week when she was announced for the cast of The Dark Knight Rises, will play the part of the China Girl. Though the character does not appear in the Victor Fleming film, she does play a small role in the original L. Frank Baum novel when Dorothy enters "The Dainty China Country."

Zach Braff, best known for his role on "Scrubs," has joined the cast of Sam Raimi's Oz, the Great and Powerful, Deadline reports.

The Disney release, a prequel to the 1939 MGM musical, The Wizard of Oz, will star James Franco as a younger version of the Wizard from the original film, who winds up in Oz following a balloon accident. The cast is also set to include Mila Kunis, Michelle Williams, Rachel Weisz and Joey King.

Braff's role is said to be that of Franco's character's "loyal but under-appreciated" assistant, Frank.

Braff recently appearaed in The High Cost of Living and, at Tribeca, spoke with ComingSoon.net about his performance. Check out the interview by clicking here.

Oz, the Great and Powerful is scheduled to hit theaters on March 8, 2013.

Walt Disney's soon-to-film production, Oz, the Great and Powerful has sent out the following casting call (via On Location Vacations) in search of talented Michigan-area clowns.

The release, a prequel to the original book, The Wizard of Oz, will star James Franco, Mila Kunis, Michelle Williams, Rachel Weisz, Zach Braff and Joey King.

Casting Associates is looking for Clowns to work as extras on the feature film “Oz: The Great and Powerful”. This is a prequel to The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (1900) by L. Frank Baum, told from the point of view of the Wizard. It tells how the Wizard arrived in Oz and how he became the ruler.

Available Roles:

* Clowns: Trained clowns, age 18 and older

Compensation:

These are paid roles.

How to Apply:

If you are interested in applying please email your name, phone number and a a picture in your clown makeup and gear to: OZextras@yahoo.com

NOTE: Include “Clowns” in the subject line of your email. Also include a picture of you not in clown mode. Please no other emails at this time.

If you're in the Michigan area and think you have what it takes, you could see yourself on the big screen come the film's release on March 8, 2013.

Abigail Spencer, best known for her recurring role on "Mad Men," has joined the cast of Sam Raimi's Oz, the Great and Powerful, says a story at The Hollywood Reporter.

The Disney release, said to be somewhat of a prequel to the 1939 MGM musical, The Wizard of Oz, will star James Franco as a younger version of the Wizard from the original film, who winds up in Oz following a balloon accident. The cast is also set to include Mila Kunis, Michelle Williams, Rachel Weisz, Joey King and Zach Braff.

Spencer's role is said to be that of a woman who volunteers for Franco's magical act during the Kansas-set segments of the film. The actress can also be seen on the big screen in the upcoming Cowboys & Aliens.

Oz, the Great and Powerful is scheduled to begin production shortly in Michigan and will hit theaters on March 8, 2013.

A first look at James Franco in director Sam Raimi's fantasy adventure Oz The Great and Powerful has come online, thanks to James Franco Forever (via Bleeding Cool).

The March 8, 2013 release imagines the origins of L. Frank Baum's beloved character, the Wizard of Oz. When Oscar Diggs (Franco), a small-time circus magician with dubious ethics, is hurled away from dusty Kansas to the vibrant Land of Oz, he thinks he's hit the jackpot-fame and fortune are his for the taking-that is until he meets three witches, Theodora (Mila Kunis), Evanora (Rachel Weisz) and Glinda (Michelle Williams), who are not convinced he is the great wizard everyone's been expecting. Reluctantly drawn into the epic problems facing the Land of Oz and its inhabitants, Oscar must find out who is good and who is evil before it is too late. Putting his magical arts to use through illusion, ingenuity-and even a bit of wizardry-Oscar transforms himself not only into the great and powerful Wizard of Oz but into a better man as well.